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Outward

A few rough edges don't stop Outward from being a gem of an RPG.
Outward Game Cover
70%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
73% User Score Based on 27,614 reviews
Critic Score 71%Based on 28 reviews

Platforms

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Outward Game Cover

About

Outward is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Nine Dots Studio and was released on May 16, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Outward is a fantasy open-world RPG that can be played solo or with friends in online or split-screen co-op. As an adventurer, you must manage basic needs like eating, drinking, and sleeping, while navigating a realistic and immersive world filled with magic, exotic creatures, and meaningful consequences. Despite some grinding, optimization issues, and bugs, Outward offers a wholesome story, atmospheric music, and humor, making it highly replayable.

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Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
Outward screenshot
+3
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73%
Audience ScoreBased on 27,614 reviews
story1.1k positive mentions
grinding1.2k negative mentions
  • story
    7,386 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in *Outward* is often described as minimal and lacking depth, primarily serving as a backdrop for exploration rather than a central focus. Players can choose from three main faction storylines, each consisting of only a few quests, which can lead to a sense of repetitiveness and limited engagement. While the game features interesting lore and environmental storytelling, many players feel that the quest design is flawed, with hidden timers and consequences for failing quests that can significantly impact gameplay. Overall, the narrative is seen as a weak point, with some players enjoying the freedom to create their own stories through exploration rather than following a structured plot.

    • “The story is lean but thoughtful.”
    • “The story is interesting, however.”
    • “The story is much, much richer than you first realize.”
    • “The main story is just around 7 rather simple quests, 3 of which are really just 'starting quests'.”
    • “Eh, there's no real story so far, just fetch quests that are loosely related and lame, and I refuse to sink any more of my time into this failed... whatever this was supposed to be, this shit sucks.”
    • “The story is very blah.”
  • gameplay
    5,629 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Outward" is characterized by a blend of survival mechanics and challenging combat, drawing comparisons to both Dark Souls and classic RPGs. Players often find the mechanics rewarding yet punishing, with a steep learning curve that requires careful planning and resource management. While the game offers unique features like a backpack mechanic and a distinctive death system, many reviews highlight issues with clunky combat, tedious travel, and a lack of clear guidance on mechanics, leading to a mixed reception overall.

    • “Great game, great mechanics, awesome story and great open world.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but still fun, the survival aspect blends very well with the combat, trading can be lucrative and fun, cooking is nice, building (late game) is simple but neat.”
    • “The survival mechanics are nice and forgiving, with depth but little headache.”
    • “The problem isn't that the combat is clunky, it's the survival mechanics (manage equipment and health) that just takes the frustration to another level.”
    • “Brutally difficult, no explanations of basic game mechanics, no horse, and no fast travel....just you sprinting around in confusion for hours.”
    • “The survival mechanics are basic and honestly?”
  • graphics
    2,756 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Outward" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear dated, often likening them to early 2000s titles. While some appreciate the game's unique art style and atmospheric visuals, others criticize the character models and overall graphical fidelity, describing them as unpolished and reminiscent of older games. Despite these criticisms, many players find that the game's engaging mechanics and immersive world compensate for its visual shortcomings.

    • “The character models are a little ugly, but the visuals of the landmarks, the armor, weapons, magic, and enemies all enthrall you into an enchanted world that is unforgiving until you learn how to tame it.”
    • “The world is beautiful and I enjoyed the retro graphics.”
    • “One of the best games I have ever played; I fully recommend it. Multiplayer is the best, and I love the soundtrack plus the graphics are beautiful.”
    • “The graphics are abysmal, especially for 2019 standards, and even with terrible graphics it doesn’t run particularly well.”
    • “Very dated graphics for something that released five years ago, very clunky attack animations from enemies that make it hard to know when to dodge.”
    • “The graphics look like they’re from 2005 and you can't jump... not worth the money.”
  • music
    1,306 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many players praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the sense of adventure. However, a common critique is its repetitiveness, as players often find themselves hearing the same tracks on loop, which can detract from the overall experience. While some enjoy the soundtrack's immersive qualities, others suggest it may not fit the game's darker themes, leading to recommendations to turn off the in-game music in favor of alternative playlists.

    • “The music is amazing - I listen to the OST a lot while I'm working lately and it makes me wanna play.”
    • “The music ebbs and flows with the landscapes, perfectly encapsulating the essence of adventure.”
    • “The soundtrack is perfect, every song in this game is incredibly made and makes exploring the interesting world even more fun.”
    • “The soundtrack is boring and often doesn't fit the level, killing the atmosphere (a city with corpses on gallows shouldn't have a happy-go-lucky fantasy music).”
    • “The music is very repetitive; I can count the number of tracks on one hand.”
    • “The only redeeming quality is the music. However, the music kept me playing the game and pushing through certain regions.”
  • grinding
    1,238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often described as a "grind fest" reminiscent of older MMOs. Many players express frustration with the lack of fast travel and the repetitive nature of resource gathering, which can lead to a sense of pointless busywork rather than rewarding gameplay. While some players appreciate the depth and challenge of the survival mechanics, the overwhelming consensus is that the grinding detracts significantly from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The pretty robust crafting system along with survival mechanics that are impactful enough to feel immersive, but not tedious enough to be annoying, lets you really get into that aspect of the game.”
    • “Gives much more freedom than a bigger game and also there is no grinding creatures for loot or experience which I am happy about.”
    • “It isn't as tedious as most survival games, which gives the game a nice mix of survival and RPG.”
    • “I can't stand it when core game design is locked behind a tedious, excruciatingly painful process such as what is featured in Outward.”
    • “In general, if this is your kind of thing, you’ll like it, but otherwise, it’s not a game; it’s just pointless grinding and time wasting.”
    • “The game becomes extremely tedious after 5-10 hours to the point of being unplayable in my opinion.”
  • stability
    672 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and game-breaking issues that significantly hinder gameplay. While some users note that the game runs well on certain systems and can be enjoyable despite its flaws, many express frustration over lost progress and unplayable experiences, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the consensus is that the game is in a rough state, requiring substantial fixes to improve stability and user experience.

    • “Runs great on aging hardware and network stability is excellent.”
    • “The game runs very smoothly and released fairly bug-free; by the way, I currently have 19 hours into the game and many more to come.”
    • “However... it's brutal-fun (unleveled Morrowind style), has a charming atmosphere, runs great, and for a small indie team, it accomplishes a great deal of what it promises.”
    • “Game breaking glitches and bugged out encounters can just destroy all your progress permanently... wasting your time and killing the enjoyment you might otherwise derive from it.”
    • “Unbelievably buggy, borderline unplayable, and the devs are very probably addicted to crack, but it's unmatched as a game of unique vision and charm.”
    • “Too many bugs and glitches that don't get fixed because the developer doesn't update the game, empty world with poor story line, character customization is minimal, majority of gameplay you spend running through map and when you die sometimes you lose your backpack and must start from beginning, game feels unfinished, it's not worth 40$.”
  • optimization
    384 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe stuttering, frame drops, and input lag, making it difficult to enjoy the gameplay. While some users noted decent performance on high-end systems, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, particularly in crowded areas and during online play, leading to a frustrating experience. Despite occasional improvements in performance with patches, many players still find the game unplayable due to its persistent technical issues.

    • “The difficulty curve suits the game perfectly as well, especially if you are playing co-op which the game seems most optimized for (get the 'shared quest rewards' mod if you are playing co-op on PC!).”
    • “The game is nicely optimized, which means it runs smoothly on high graphics settings (considering you have a good performing PC).”
    • “Game is very optimized even when playing split screen with my bro (I appreciate that).”
    • “However, the game is pretty much incomplete, non-optimized, and abandoned.”
    • “It's unoptimized, constantly disconnects from my friend in online play, and just leaves a bad taste.”
    • “This game has some of the worst optimization I have ever encountered.”
  • replayability
    370 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability, primarily due to its diverse character builds, multiple factions, and unique storylines that encourage players to start new characters for different experiences. The inclusion of a legacy system allows players to carry over items to new playthroughs, enhancing the replay value further. However, some players note that the limited number of areas and the necessity to restart for different faction quests can detract from the overall experience.

    • “Insane amounts of replayability, tons of amazing loot and dungeons to explore and it's good solo or co-op.”
    • “The multiple factions and good variety of viable skill trees and builds offer great replay value as well!”
    • “The game is designed for replayability, with a 'legacy' system that allows items to be passed on to new characters as an upgraded version, and the fact that the game has 3 major paths for the story along with multiple ways to complete minor quests.”
    • “The replay value just isn't there, but it is a game you regret not playing.”
    • “Of course there is a decent amount of replay value in this game, however, I believe that after a couple more playthroughs I will get tired of experiencing the same starting area and that the world will lose its intrigue.”
    • “If you are looking for a game with replayability, this may not be the game for you.”
  • atmosphere
    308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, stunning landscapes, and a unique blend of cozy and foreboding elements that evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs. While some critiques mention inconsistencies in sound design and graphical quality, many players find the overall ambiance, music, and environmental storytelling to be captivating and integral to the gameplay experience. Overall, the game successfully creates a rich, atmospheric world that encourages exploration and adventure.

    • “The stunning landscapes, seasonal weather systems, and immersive atmosphere evoke a strong sense of wonder, reminiscent of my early days in Tamriel.”
    • “The game's sound design is equally impressive, with atmospheric music and immersive sound effects that draw players deeper into the world.”
    • “It has a very unique atmosphere and world that truly enchanted me from the very first minute.”
    • “The soundtrack is boring and often doesn't fit the level, killing the atmosphere (a city with corpses on gallows shouldn't have happy-go-lucky fantasy music).”
    • “There's barely anything to interact with, NPCs are virtually non-existent outside the safe zones (and are generic and lifeless inside them), and for a fantasy RPG seems horribly lacking in terms of lore and atmosphere (at least initially it's got nothing).”
    • “Firstly, graphically speaking this game looks disgusting, the color palette is this drab, gritty, depressing mixture of different themes. It's going for the traditional fantasy looking buildings, armor, and dungeons but then has these jarring pieces of design right in the middle of it, like a giant steampunk looking water processing plant that ruins the atmosphere completely.”
  • humor
    188 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently noting its comedic dialogue, absurd character builds, and the hilarity of unexpected in-game events, such as ridiculous deaths and janky mechanics. Many reviews highlight the enjoyment of playing cooperatively, where the shared experience of failure and funny moments enhances the overall fun. Despite its flaws, the game's humor often transforms frustrating situations into laughable experiences, making it a memorable, albeit imperfect, adventure.

    • “It has good humor, a soundtrack that matches the gameplay, and it will quickly immerse you into the world.”
    • “The writing is good, and at some points amazingly witty, leaving me and my friend laughing for minutes at a time without end!”
    • “It's actually hilarious how much easier combat gets with another player by your side, even though there's a scaling factor when you have someone in your world.”
    • “So much content it's not funny... there's a handful of monsters that spawn reliably in the same areas, a lack of story overall, and that's really it.”
  • emotional
    100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, from deep engagement and heartfelt moments to frustration and disappointment. Players appreciate the unique experiences and emotional weight of certain quests, while others feel overwhelmed by punishing mechanics and a lack of narrative depth. Overall, the game successfully creates moments of wonder and connection, but also leaves some players feeling emotionally drained or disconnected due to its challenging gameplay and sparse storytelling.

    • “I watched this man's food be stolen by the OP; it was horrific. I cried, he cried, we all cried.”
    • “Playing this game is a distinctly emotional experience, as the cycle of love and hate becomes synonymous with progression.”
    • “Surprised myself with how much I loved the story - got so emotional and so intrigued by the lore.”
    • “Not like these fake linear AAA games just full of vanity, boring story and a lot of graphic elements while there are 0 chances to role-play such a bland character.”
    • “You'll walk for 10 minutes and not see any enemies, drink boiled beetles to recover stamina, experience the worst and most clunky combat, experience a boring story line and you'll love it the whole time.”
    • “Boring story, clunky mechanics and way too punishing to have fun with it.”
  • character development
    80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of depth and limited customization options for characters. While some appreciate the organic and open-ended nature of character progression, others criticize the poor execution of character design and voice acting, leading to a feeling of disconnect from the story. Overall, the game offers a basic framework for character development but falls short of delivering a compelling or immersive experience.

    • “Loved the character development, too, where many skills are available to everyone.”
    • “Each faction has its own storyline, which intersects with the others at pivotal moments, but gets their own unique moments and character developments.”
    • “This game encourages organic character development, experimentation, and intense exploration.”
    • “This is not a deep story-based RPG, nor is it a grand exercise in character development.”
    • “No true character development.”
    • “Horrible design choices, uninspiring combat, failed character development process, limited exploration, crummy crafting, poorly utilized buff/debuff system, stamina system that affects only you, and a confusing quest system featuring a bad story with even worse DLC.”
  • monetization
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its lack of microtransactions, loot boxes, and ads, which contrasts sharply with many modern titles perceived as cash grabs. However, others criticize the game for feeling incomplete and suggest that it was rushed to market primarily for profit, leading to frustrations over high-priced DLC and unresolved issues. Overall, while the absence of aggressive monetization tactics is appreciated, concerns about the game's value and quality persist.

    • “No BS DLCs/microtransactions, just the full game for one price as well.”
    • “This game has no pay to win, no microtransactions, no loot boxes, no battle pass, and no ads. Yes, paid games are now having ads; look at Street Fighter V’s latest botch up.”
    • “No handholding, no forced tutorials, no microtransactions, and an interesting and surreal world, where you really have to dig deep to understand what's around you - the landscape itself tells a story, if you pay attention.”
    • “Overall, it is my opinion that this game was released too soon and possibly used by the publisher as a cash grab to capitalize on the grassroots excitement of the game.”
    • “Just the fact that the price tag is so high for the new content and there are so many restrictions on accessing it, as well as all the oversights and issues that have gone intentionally ignored and unresolved, is a bold move and clearly shows that they are simply scheming for monetization.”
    • “This game is a cash grab, not worth its price, and barely worthwhile at all.”
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71%Critics’ scoreBased on 28 critic reviews
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21h Median play time
35h Average play time
8-50h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 380 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Outward is a open world role playing game with fantasy theme.

Outward is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 35 hours playing Outward.

Outward was released on May 16, 2022.

Outward was developed by Nine Dots Studio.

Outward has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Outward is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Stoneshard, ELEX, Alaloth: Champions of The Four Kingdoms, Remnant: From the Ashes, Drova: Forsaken Kin and others.